In the pleasant air, the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford celebrated
the start of a new season and Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) on May 6.
Children’s Day is a Japanese national holiday, which takes place annually
on May 5, to honor children’s personalities and celebrate their healthy
growth.

In the celebration, many kinds of activities were offered.
Under the roof of Pavilion, calligraphy experience was offered by Sachiyo
Koester. Candy sushi making was also offered.

Kathy Crum and her friend came to the calligraphy table to put some strokes
on paper. She said that she was looking for a visiting place from Schaumburg
and found the Anderson Gardens through internet. She came from Midlothian,
south of Dallas in Texas and said that her first priority was finding
Japanese gardens anywhere she traveled.

She has visited many Japanese gardens in the world.
Recently she has visited gardens in Portland, Pennsylvania, and Fort Worth
in Texas. “If there is a garden, we usually try, go, and see it,” she
said. She also said that she liked Japanese gardens because of their simplicity,
tranquility, and extraordinary horticulture.

At the sukiya style tea house and gazebo next to the
West Fall, a bowl of matcha (ceremonial green tea) was served to the visitors
by the students of Professor Kimiko Gunji. Japanese traditional games
such as otedama and kendama were offered near the guest house. The visitors
tried and enjoyed Japanese traditional games with laughter.

At the West Waterfall deck, children and their parents
enjoyed painting and making Carp Flag by their own hands. The carp flag
is a symbol of Children’s Day. Families in Japan raise carp flags to wish
the children’s health and growth.

At the Floating Deck on the west pond, karuta game was
offered to children to learn about Japanese numbers and some simple words.

Noh Mask making and Kimono Coloring were offered at
the Quiet Areas for Conversation. Many children were enjoying walking
with their own Noh Masks around the gardens.